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Last Tango in Halifax

Series 1-Episode 6

Review

Having learnt that her daughter Caroline is a lesbian, Celia is shocked and judgemental. “What will folk think?” she demands of her fiancé, Alan. They’ll be “pointing and saying things”.

As Sally Wainwright’s clever, multilayered drama ends, what started out as the most dreamy of courtships appears to have hit some very choppy waters when Alan (Derek Jacobi) decides he doesn’t like this new side to Celia (Anne Reid). Caroline (Sarah Lancashire) isn’t enamoured of it, either: “You’re going to die lonely and bitter,” she yells at her mother when the pair trade cruelties in a terrible row.

I’m going to miss Last Tango in Halifax, as will presumably its huge BBC1 audience. It was one of those dramas that arrived out of nowhere to an instant embrace from viewers, and none of us will quite be able to let Alan, Celia, Caroline and Gillian get away from us.

By the way, you will cry at the end. Oh yes, you will.

Summary

Celia reacts badly to John's revelation that Caroline is gay and makes no attempt to accept her daughter's new partner, leading to a bitter argument. Worse still, Alan is saddened and embarrassed by her behaviour, prompting him to call off the wedding. At the farm, Gillian invites Robbie over for dinner, intending to make a go of it with him. Sally Wainwright's drama, starring Derek Jacobi, Anne Reid, Sarah Lancashire, Nicola Walker and Dean Andrews.